The visual communication major integrates information sharing with creativity to compel and connect with an audience in an emotional way. Students will learn how to design and create more effective and persuasive visual content through critical thinking, creativity, and execution. Career paths include content creation, design, photography, film & television, animation, media ministry or many others. Two specializations are offered in the Visual Communication major: Graphic Design and Media Production.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will examine the role of visual communication within society and formulate creative processes to solve diverse visual communication problems through a variety of sight-related tools.
- Students will utilize non-linear, iterative ideation processes to develop ideas that challenge assumptions, redefine problems, and create innovative visual solutions through integrated communication campaigns.
- Students will discover key elements of major communication theories which provide a strong foundation for communication design.
- Students will create ethical and responsible media content for consumption.
Courses
General Education Requirements - 46 hours
English 1301, 1302, and three hours sophomore literature - 9
Fine Arts (three hours from music, theatre, fine arts, art, or equivalent) - 3
Christian Ministry 1320 and 1330 - 6
History - 3
Political Science 2305 - 3
Social Science (CJUS, ECON, GEOG, PSYC, SOCI) - 3
Physical Activity - KINE 1238 - 2
Science (must be lab science) - 8
Mathematics (MATH 1342 and three additional hours) - 3
Communication 1311, 1315, or 1318 - 3
Major area of study (see below) - 54
Minor (optional, minimum of 18 hours if selected) - 18
Electives (to total 120 hours)
Total: Minimum one hundred twenty (120) semester hours
Completion of fifty-four (54) semester hours, to include a specialization:
Visual Communication Core forty-two (42) semester hours:
COMM 1301 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 2102 Media Lab (3 semesters)
COMM 2306 Social Media Communication
COMM 2308 Digital Design and Production
COMM 2309 Graphic Design
COMM 2311 Video Production
COMM 2312 Christianity and Communication
COMM 2339 Mass Media Writing
COMM 3320 Design Thinking
COMM 4305 Capstone in Communication
COMM 4317 Digital Animation
COMM 4351 Internship in Communication
Choose three (3) semester hours from the following:
COMM 4304 Media Theory
COMM 4308 Communication Theory
Three (3) semester hours from upper-level Communication (COMM) courses.
Graphic Design Specialization
Completion of twelve (12) semester hours:
COMM 2318 Digital Photography
COMM 3316 Web Design
COMM 3355 Advanced Graphic Design
COMM 4306 Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns
Media Production Specialization
Completion of twelve (12) semester hours:
COMM 2310 Audio Production
COMM 3353 Advanced Video Production
COMM 3378 Drone Photography
COMM 4364 Scriptwriting
Semester by Semester Plans
Semester by Semester is broken into the specializations of Graphic Design and Media Production.